The uncanny mouth—A phenomenological approach to oral cancer

Abstract Objective The aim of this retrospective qualitative study was to describe how patients with oral cancer experience their sickness and treatment. Methods A purposeful sample of seven patients with oral cancer was interviewed. Data were analysed using a phenomenological approach outlined by v...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Patient education and counseling 2007, Vol.67 (3), p.301-306
Main Authors: Röing, Marta, Hirsch, Jan-Michaél, Holmström, Inger
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Activities of Daily Living - psychology
Adaptation, Psychological
Aged
Attitude to Health
Body Image
Emotions
Existentialism - psychology
Female
Humans
Internal Medicine
Internal-External Control
Life Change Events
Male
MEDICIN
MEDICINE
Middle Aged
Mouth Neoplasms - psychology
Mouth Neoplasms - therapy
Multiprofessional collaboration
Nursing
Oral cancer
Patient Care Team
Phenomenology
Qualitative Research
Recovery of Function
Retrospective Studies
Self Concept
Social Behavior
Social Support
Support
Surveys and Questionnaires
Sweden
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Summary:Abstract Objective The aim of this retrospective qualitative study was to describe how patients with oral cancer experience their sickness and treatment. Methods A purposeful sample of seven patients with oral cancer was interviewed. Data were analysed using a phenomenological approach outlined by van Manen. Results The essence of the patients’ experiences can be described as embodiment in a mouth that has become unreal, or ‘uncanny’. At treatment start the body is invaded by cancer, during treatment there is no escape from a wounded mouth, at treatment end the mouth is disabled. Conclusions The findings indicate that oral cancer patients’ need for support may increase as treatment progresses and may be greatest at end of radiotherapy, as they return home with mouths that have not recovered after treatment and do not function normally. Practice implications This suggests the importance of understanding the patients’ situation during treatment and their desire for a return to normal living and normal mouth functions at treatment end. If possible, plans for oral rehabilitation should be considered in initial treatment planning. As the treatment of oral cancer is multiprofessional, this knowledge may be useful in guiding the organization of oral cancer care and multiprofessional collaboration.
ISSN:0738-3991
1873-5134
1873-5134
DOI:10.1016/j.pec.2007.02.001